Career News and Advice

Best Sources for Contractor Rates

Faced with the challenge of negotiating an hourly pay rate, neophyte contractors, often convert the salary of full time employees to calculate their wage request. While that's certainly one benchmark, it often has no bearing on contractor  rates. Here are some resources to help you determine the going rates for professionals with your skills and experience.

[Read More]

Posted at 08:28AM Sep 04, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Contracting for the Reluctant

If you're out of work, your best chance of a paycheck may come from contracting work. Here's how to turn your experience into an assignment.

[Read More]

Posted at 12:08PM Jul 28, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[5]

Bidding Strategies for IT Contractors

Recruiters should collaborate with candidates before submitting them to a client, so the two can agree on a rate that will stand the best chance of winning the assignment based on the job specifications, the candidate's experience, and the client's buying practices.

[Read More]

Posted at 09:46AM Jul 21, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Bookkeeping 101 for Contractors

If you're considering contracting - or any kind of self-employment - you need to understand these essential pieces of tax and financial information.

[Read More]

Posted at 10:39AM Jun 10, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Time to Start Your Own Business?

If you've been daydreaming about starting your own company, perhaps now's the right time. But before you take the plunge, here are some questions to consider.

[Read More]

Posted at 08:36AM May 14, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Fundamental Questions for New Contractors

For a number of reasons, now might be a good time to consider what it takes to work as a contractor. Among the perpetually optimistic, there are those who say downturns are exactly the right time to start a business: So long as you have the staying power (meaning, you can keep your bills paid), you can take your early steps and make your early mistakes, and be up to full speed when business bounces back. 

[Read More]

Posted at 02:11PM Feb 24, 2009 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Are You Cut Out For Contracting?

To succeed as a contractor, it's critical to go beyond examining your technical strengths and weaknesses. You have to understand what makes you tick.

[Read More]

Posted at 01:00AM Aug 15, 2008 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Career Doctor: When Consulting is a Good Fit for You

Many hiring managers view contract work as an extended interview, where they can assess a potential employee's job performance and fit within the organization. Up-close exposure to different companies also broadens your network, improving your ability to find satisfying permanent employment.

[Read More]

Posted at 01:00AM Aug 01, 2008 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Survival Strategies for IT Contractors

To be successful, IT contractors have to conquer all sorts of challenges.

[Read More]

Posted at 01:00AM Aug 18, 2007 in Contracting  |  Comments[0]

Selecting the Right Staffing Firm

Good choices can lead to a great contracting career

[Read More]

Posted at 01:00AM Dec 01, 2006 in Contracting  |  Comments[1]